“Officials from SIPTU representing ground staff and the IMPACT trade union, representing cabin crew, will meet with workplace representatives at lunchtime on Tuesday.

“We will serve notice of industrial action and outline what form the action will take.

“This could cause severe disruption to Aer Lingus passengers at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports in the coming weeks, starting in early November.

“This is going to be a serious industrial dispute. The action will be ongoing in the lead-up to and including Christmas. It’s going to be ongoing until this issue is resolved.”

The paper reports that the action is likely to take the form of a series of work stoppages ranging from one hour to 24-hour-long work stoppages.

The IMPACT trade union also said its members are prepared to down tools as well until the dispute is resolved.

Aer Lingus management said in a statement: “We continue to seek to achieve a fair outcome that improves the pension prospects of affected IASS members in a way that will balance the interests of all parties, including shareholders.

“Aer Lingus remains available to resume discussions with the union groups in order to reach a solution and believes that the LRC is the appropriate forum in which to achieve this solution.”

Heartbreak of an Irish widow who is now losing her only daughter to mass emigration